Former Buona Fortuna owner opens new restaurant

Tony Calderone, background, former owner of Buona Fortuna, laughs while posing for a photo with busines partner Pete Renda, left, at Buon Appetito Ristorante and Brewery, a new Italian restaurant the pair, who are co-owning the business, plan to open at the former location of Hilltop Tavern on Route 116 between Hanover and Spring Grove.(Photo: Shane Dunlap, The Evening Sun)Buy Photo

When some people get bored during retirement, they pick up a hobby. Golf seems to be a popular one.

When Tony Calderone gets bored, he opens a new restaurant.

“I just got bored at home,” he said. “I looked at the location; it was the right price, and I’m hungry to get into it again.”

Calderone, former owner of the popular Hanover-based Buona Fortuna restaurant, and his nephew Peter Renda, are working to open Buon Appetito Ristorante & Brewery in Heidleberg Township. The restaurant recently passed inspection and is scheduled to open Tuesday, Calderone said.

Calderone described the restaurant as classic Italian food, but with a twist, he said. Calderone partnered with Renda, who went to New England Culinary Institute, to help bring his personal flair to the food and business, he said.

“He’s more of the classic Italian food guy; I put a little twist on the classics basically,” Renda said.

Buon Appetito will be more than a place to get food, Calderone said. It’s going to be an experience. After purchasing the building in July, Calderone and Renda have done everything from paint the walls to put in new flooring for the 100 people the restaurant can hold .

New features include a brewery in the basement to brew their own beer, outdoor seating and an espresso bar, Calderone said. When the weather gets nice, the restaurant hopes to host banquets and weddings, he said.

“When we first went to the building, it was nothing to look at at the time, but we put a lot of sweat and work into it,” Renda said. “I believe it’s going to do well. Tony’s going to work hard, I’m going to work hard, and we’re going to do the best we can for everybody.”

The restaurant does not have a liquor license yet. For now, the restaurant is bring-your-own-bottle, Calderone said. It could be a few more months until a liquor license is issued, he said.

Calderone hopes that the relationships he has built in the 40 years of working in the business will help drive traffic to the business.

“We knew from our old place there was an interest for us to open up,” he said. “We’re not too far away from Hanover; that’s why I like the location because I can stay in touch with my old customers.”

Calderone has a revived sense of detail and focus, he said. The days of “retirement” won’t be so dull anymore, he said.

Dining room seating is ready for customers at Buon Appetito Ristorante and Brewery that is set to open soon on Route 116 between Hanover and Spring Grove at the former location of Hilltop Tavern. (Photo: Shane Dunlap, The Evening Sun)